ESET: A 26% of mobile phones are hacked by hackers with great ease because PIN that users use to lock their devices are very simple and common combinations of numbers, which cybercriminals can guess with only a few attempts.
Referring to the relevant research by the SANS Institute, ESET encourages users to choose with caution the PIN they use to unlock their device, so that if it's stolen or lost, hackers can't "crack" it.
According to the results of the survey, the 20 most common codes PIN That are used is (in random order): 0000, 1004, 1010, 1111, 1122, 1212, 1234, 1313, 2000, 2001, 2222, 4444, 3333, 4321, 5555, 6666, 6969, 7777, 8888 and 9999.
Using so simple PIN is mainly due to the need for users to use an easy-to-use code, especially when they need to import 50, maybe 100 times a day to unlock their mobile phone.
Many times, they can use numbers that mean something like, for example, birthday. This is a very dangerous practice, according to Jake Moore, Its Security Specialist ESET, as cybercriminals can search for users in open sources (for example, onyin the social medium) and based on the personal information they will find, test various possible codes.
Even with the importtreatment longer codes, Face ID ή touch ID, people rarely change their PIN regularly and usually complain with just one code they use on each device.
At the same time, many users mistakenly believe that their Face ID or Touch ID features protect them enough to avoid having a difficult PIN. "Remember that there is a default code to unlock the device and a hacker will prepriceto deal with this code rather than inventing ways to fool the facial or fingerprint reader functions”, notes the Jake Moore.
According to ESET, the best practice for a secure mobile phone is to use unique, long-length complex codes and even alphanumeric codes where available, coupled with instant Face ID / Touch ID activation to speed up the entry.
Users should also be very careful with their environment when they import it PIN, especially in places with many people, such as in public transport. Finally, after backing up their device, it is suggested that they add an extra level of security by turning on "Find my iPhone"For iOS devices or"Find My Device»On the devices Android.
In case of theft, this feature allows important data to be wiped remotely, so even if the device is never found, at least cybercriminals won't be able to access in personal information.
